Which Belt Sander to get?

cmgray · Mar 23, 2011

I wanna start reprofiling some of my knives into convex edges. Which belt sander should one get. Is something like this effective?
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2081245/29956/Rikon-1-Belt-x-5-Disc-Sander.aspx
What would you all recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Chandler69 · Mar 23, 2011

I'd do it with sandpaper and a mousepad or a thick piece of leather.

xmtgx · Mar 24, 2011

The KM 2x48 is highly recommended around here.
I'm interested in getting a KMG in the future however.

230grains · Mar 24, 2011

I use a kalamazoo 1x42, does everything I need. If I decide to get more into knife making I'm probably just going to build my own grinder.

ChapmanPreferred · Mar 24, 2011

230grains, If I were starting out again, I think I would go with the kalamazoo in place of the Harbor Freight and Grizzly 1"x30" ones I have.

rayban · Mar 24, 2011

cmgray said:
I wanna start reprofiling some of my knives into convex edges. Which belt sander should one get. Is something like this effective?
http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/2081245/29956/Rikon-1-Belt-x-5-Disc-Sander.aspx
What would you all recommend?

Thanks in advance!

The Harbor Freight $40 one will do the job with the right belts.
If you find you want to up-grade down the road, the HF will always be a handy tool to have around.

230grains · Mar 24, 2011

ChapmanPreferred said:
230grains, If I were starting out again, I think I would go with the kalamazoo in place of the Harbor Freight and Grizzly 1"x30" ones I have.

It's worth the upgrade. My first sander was a grizzly 1x30, it was "ok" and did what I needed it to do, but honestly the kalamazoo is just a hell of a lot better. I'm very happy with it.

richard j · Mar 24, 2011

this would be a good one to get since it gives you angle optioins and it will work for making knives later on also. i'll send you pictures of mine and i'll explain more when we talk. http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showpost.php?p=9359745&postcount=5